BerserkerFest II, CA Central Coast---03/13/10 @ Loring Wine Company

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1

Looks like we have some serious interest in having another Berserker Fest, this time in the Central Coast of California. I’ll start this post to banter around ideas. Obviously, I will work on my end to get a deal on the Flannery dead critters and will do my best to help coordinate from afar. Also will do my absolute best to be in attendance again.

Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ Loring Wine Company

As of Wednesday, 8/26/09, there are 131 people interested in this event. Being that we are over six months away, I understand that quite a few people will bail for various reasons and through atrition, we will likely get down to the ideal number of guests that we are holding fast to…100. Having said that, any interested parties moving forward will be wait listed and won’t be added unless the confirmed number drops to under 100. If we do not get to that magic number by year’s end, then I will make the executive decision that the first 100 paid deposits will get in. I hate to be a hard ass on this, but I have to respect the Loring Wine Company and the generosity that Brian is displaying for us.

Details:

  1. Main courses will be from Bryan Flannery—Pork, Lamb & Beef grilled by your’s truly.
  2. Apps & sides will be taken on by a local catering outfit.
  3. We will have some circulating staff cleaning up behind our sorry butts.
  4. The venue would need to be vacated at midnight to allow for cleanup, etc. (After party will be planned).
  5. Suggestion is to bring multiple bottles or a large format for the wine(s) you choose to share with the group.
  6. The guest list will be firmly held at one hundred people based on deposits received once a line has been drawn in the sand.
  7. I will work with Loring to see what the catering, cleanup crew, etc. will run and fold that into a projected amount for the Flannery. Once we have a rough estimate, look for a deposit amount here in the OP.
  8. I am open to suggestions for helping improve the over all experience from the masses. Por Ejemplo: If Full Of Life Flatbread would like to provide some snacks, I am not adverse to that at all.

Interested:


Tex & Kristi
Loring
Brent Clayton
Mike Dildine
Josh Pitcl
Frenchie
Dan Kimmelman + 3
WetRock
Leenda
Yoni & Shilo
Dave Smig
Mr. & Mrs. Mac And Cheese
Ed Gonzales + 3
Major Franks & Carrie
Rob MacKay + 1
The Croatian Cuddler
Father Saxon
Bulkin
King Cab Pobega
Leah Amir
Larry Schaffer
Brian London + 1
Fu Manchu + 1
Glenn Levine
Joe & Cynthia Dulworth
Gutting
Jay Carroll
Brett Little
Gene Keenan + 1
Larry Stein + 1
Jeremy Hannah + 1
T-Bone $ Sara
Ted Erfer + 1
Jane Benjamin
Clem Nieto + 1
David Whitworth + 1
Kriss Reed + 1
John Tomasso + 1
P-Rob & Rebecca
Milos Cam-Robb + 1
Mike & Dana
Glen Murlin
Kara Van Corbach
Berto
Will & Molly
Bruce Weimer
Paul Hiyake
Peter Kelly + 1
Mark Hubbard + 1
Gregg Greenbaum + 1
Robb Winn + 1
Larry Schaffer
Poppy + 1
Jason Hagen
Kevin Rehberg + 1
Paul Lin
David Wright + 2
Eric Rayburn + 1
Brian Buzzini
Lisa Lovullo
Steve Albrecht + 1
Patt Hsu
Ken Rudman + 1
Scott Jameson + 1
Veronica Castro + 1
Al Osterheld
Zhi Hu + 1
James Nurthen + 1
James Dietz + 1
Sean Reed
Mark Franks + 1
Brian Grafstrom + 1
Mark Pecken
Paul Soals + 1
Leslie Mead + 1
The Carg + 1
Nancy D + 1

Waitlist:
Ken Zinns
John & Kimberly Cabot
Faryan Amir-Ghassem¡
Paul Burns
Paul Ketlehut + 3
Marshal Gelb + 1

2

What is the timing for those ITB with regards to crush/bottling/etc?

3

prob jan/feb

4

I would be in for this one! Feb-March would probably be best for me, but I might have some work things happening and can’t honestly expect a clear picture until Nov-Dec.

I find Jan to be a bit hectic, things seem to get more under control after the Super Bowl.

5

Just to close the loop on Big Sur. Here is an example of the type of Inn available along the coast: Default Home Page. This place has 20 rooms and could be booked in advance for next Summer for a reasonable rate. Any spillover could be accomodated in near-by Inns.

The CHALLENGE in Big Sur would be grilling. Those that know the area are aware of the fire dangers here (two big fires last Summer). The Big Sur Inn has an outdoor grill, but talking them into letting us utlize it is another thing (I wasn’t able to just now - but I only gave it a half-hearted try).

Big Sur is isolated. No wineries around (obviously), but there are several world class restaurants in the area (Post Ranch, Nepenthe and Ventana are the most well known).

Carmel or Carmel Valley are other local possibilities. Asilomar (http://www.visitasilomar.com/ might be a consideration.

I’m not convinced that Paso isn’t a better choice, all things considered, but I’m happy to investigate any of the above if there is interest.

6

You can count me in for Jan or Feb.

7

Mike, while I LOVE Big Sur, it’s not exactly as accomodating for a big group, even if we do have an Inn to rent out. That makes it more of a retreat, as we don’t have ready access to groceries, food, etc, plus, an area in some sort of wine country gives us opportunity for winery visits and smaller parties in the days before/after the ‘main event’.

8

Todd - All true.

9

Los Olivos/Santa Ynez area works as well…but if we do SLO/Paso then I can try and pull on my connections out here to get us some perks…

10

Agreed - it’s much like SLO/Paso, and even closer to Socal. Either place would work, and the alternate for a future one!

11

Start rubbing up close to the locals and see what you can offer up. Try to keep it clean.

12

Whereever, Whenever…I’m in. (Much to Todd’s dismay.)

13

Yeah, but I can deal.

Figures you’d come in with a Shakira line.

14

As an ITBer I can say that 10/18 will likely be out as well as 2-3 weekends before and after, so that pushes us into thanksgiving and december.

Jan/Feb would be alright, at that time it just depends on the actual weekend as to whether we are busy with our typical winery duties.

I have many friends on the central coast that I would love to see again, so count me in +1 for Jan/Feb timeframe.

15

Since it’s after the holidays we will also try to make it down thatta way. We haven’t taken a couple days off together in 8 years, this sounds like a good reason to get away.

Count Mr. & Mrs Mac N Cheez in da house

16

I’m game (+ 3). Maybe we can get a group together to visit SQN the day before [wink.gif]

17

FYI - Unified Wine & Grape Symposium is 1/26 - 1/28 in Sacramento, followed by ZAP in SF on 1/28 - 1/30. You’d lose a lot of ITB folks then.

18

This will be a no-brainer for me.

19

Count me+1 in.

I could even host a mini-fest at my place near Santa Cruz before that, perhaps this fall. My place can do ~30 people and we have lots of grill space available. I’m 1/4 mile from the Scotts Valley Hilton.

20

I was just going to mention that, as well as last year, Frank Murray had his Falltacular the weekend before Unified. That was a helluva week and a half for me. [shock.gif]